The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-02-05
VOLCANO NEWS.
Experiences of the Excursionists by
the Steamer W. G.. Hall.
The Last of the FIow-Incidents. etc.

The steamer w. g. Hall, which ar
rived from Hawaii yesterday afternoon,
brought the news that the lava flow had
ceased, although the excursiOnists who
travelled by her were just in time to OBJ
tain good view, the activity of the vol
cano gradually dying out until Tuesday
morning, when there were but very
slight signs of fire. The large party who
went by the kinau would therefore, in
all probability be disappointed. Some
valuable information has been cleaned
from several gentlemen who have re-
turned, and is given below.
a JOURNEY TO THE SOURCE.
shortly after the arrival of the w. q.
Hall last evening, an ADVERTISER re-
porter was accorded an interview with
1Ir. Edward Macfarlane, who was pas
senger by that steamer, and kindly fur
uis'- II graphic account of perilous
Journey to the new lava flow on Mauna
LOa, accomplished by himself and others.
Upon the approach of the steamer off
the Kahuku coast, just before dusk on
Saturday a brilliant glow was apparent.
Continuing her course, it became brighter
as the darkness came on, and upon her
arrival opposite the spot where the lava
flow dropped over the cliffs into the sea,
a magnificent sight burst into view. The
five cones upon the summit were emit
ting immense fire fountains, which shot
upwards to about the same height as the
cones themselves above the latter-pro-
badly from 100 to $50 feet, though by
siderably higher. One would become
inactive for a time, and another would
burst out. Then it would cease and the
first one again become active; but OF the
FIVE, three were generally sending up jets
OF fire at one and the same moment, the
jets alternating from one to. another.
Immediately below the crater there APP
peared to be two arms of lava each APP
parently about three-quarters of mile
wide, in which the flow was extremely
active, and it could be traced down to
the cliffs, though in places it was inter
rupted, presumably in consequence of
the crust which had formed over the
surface. From this cause the cascade
by which it was conducted into the sea
had by this time become invisible,
though the brilliant glare which pro-
ceeded therefrOm, as also the intermit-
tent jets of steam, afforded evidence that
the flow of molten lava was still making
its way into the ocean, enclosed in a cool
crust of its own substance, portions of
which would at times break off and fall
splashing into the water. About three
there was band OF fire, but towards the
shore it seemed to cool off. In places
the motion of the flow could be distinctly
discerned. The steamer remained off
times drifting, at others steaming slowly
backwards and forwards in the vicinity,
thereby affording her passengers ample
of witnessing the magnii-
cent scene. At daylight the steamer
went on to Punaluu, where most of the
landed and proceeded to the
hotel, but Mr. Macfarane and Mr. God !
rey Brown went on by the steamer to
Hunuapo and became the guests of Mr.. !
Center, OF the Naalehu Sugar Mill |
from what they had previously |
that the activity of the vol |
;anO would not long be maintained, they |
made all possible haste to continue their |
Quincy to the flow, and after an early |
luncheon on Sunday forenoon they took
cave of their host and started with that !
object, arriving the same evening at the
residence OF Mr. Jones, of Kahuku, with
n two miles of which the lava flow
changed its course at the time when the
Eruption first broke out, as already de-
cribed in a previous issue OF the ADVER-
User. Here they remained the night,
Is, there being no guide available, it was
impossible to proceed further. The
country is described as being of a very
lfficult nature, the road beyond Mr..
ones house eXecrable, and guides very
scarce. In fact, as far as our informant
5 aware, there are only two men in the
district who may be relied on as such,
md these are an elderly man named
dacomber and his son, both being en-
1loyed by Mr.. Jones as ranchmen. The
lindness and hospitality which this gen
lemen has extended to tourists during
he last few weeks are spoken of in cor
hal terms. Early on Monday morning
he travellers were joined by Mr.. Barnes,
II Waikiki, and Mr.. Dekay, the local
and, accompanied by the
Macomber, started at :45 a. M,
rriving at point near the flow shortly
fter l p. m. AT that time the flow had
eased entirely, so far as could be seen,
hough it might have been running
nder the crust. The party then essayed
0 make the ascent straight up the
in direct line for the front
one upon the brow; over crust of pa
oehoe, which was extremely soft and
reacherous walking. Mr.. Macfarlane
nd other members . the party repeat
II 7 II :